British Christians concerned with the environment will be invited to put their commitments where their convictions are next weekend, at a conference to be held at Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre.
The theme of the gathering is Environmental Justice: Keeping the Ark Afloat – All Hands on Deck. It will feature debates and workshops aimed at generating action for the planet. The event is being organised jointly by Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission in the North West of England and the UK-wide network Christian Ecology Link.
Global warming, climate change, ethical investment, green lifestyles, eco-transport, species extinctions, and encouraging children and young people to go green are among the topics to be tackled.
One of the keynote speakers for the conference, Ellen Teague, who edits the magazine Vocation for Justice, explained: “Environmental Justice is becoming more central to the mission of the Christian churches, as we become increasingly aware of the fragility of the natural world. All human society depends on a stable climate, clean air, fertile soil and fresh water.”
For the churches, she said, it is necessary to “celebrate God’s creation, not only in our liturgies, but in practical action to conserve resources and act to tackle human-induced climate change.”
The Christian Ecology Link annual members’ meeting is due to take place take place immediately before the Environmental Justice conference, from 09.15 to 10.15.